Visiting the Great Mosque of Paris

With its charming shady courtyard, its garden and its traditional décor, the Great Mosque of Paris is worth a long tour if you happen to be in Paris 5th arrondissement.

If you happen to be in Paris 5th arrondissement, you can obviously enjoy the freshness offered by the many trees of the Jardin des Plantes, but why not making the best of your getaway on the left bank to discover the Great Mosque of Paris.

The will to build the Great Mosque comes true after the First World War. At the time, the State want to pay tribute to the 100,000 Muslim fighters who died for France. Works start in 1922 and last until July 15, 1926 date of the inauguration of the Great Mosque in presence of president Gaston Doumergue and Morocco sultan Moulay Youssef.

The Great Mosque holds a peculiar spot in the hearts of France’s Muslims since it’s the oldest mosque in metropolitan France. Of Spanish-Moorish inspiration, inspired by the El-Qaraouiyyîn Mosque of Fes, the mosque is towered over by an impressive 33-m high minaret.

Its large door is adorned with floral patterns typical of the Art of Islam. Walk the door and you’ll discover a traditional decoration and beautiful mosaics, works from craftsmen in North Africa.

During your visit, take a walk in the beautiful garden of the Mosque looking like Alhambra in Grenada; and in the patio surrounded by finely sculpted arches. Don’t forget either to discover the prayer room, its authentic décor and its wonderful carpets.

Finally, the Great Mosque of Paris offers many relaxing areas with its library, its hammam reserved for women, its store of traditional objects, its traditional restaurant “Aux Portes de l’Orient” and its teashop where we can enjoy Turkish delights and other sweet oriental treats while sipping a mint tea.

Note that the Great Mosque of Paris can be visited every day, excluding Fridays and days of Muslim celebrations. A beautiful exotic visit ahead!